FROM THE SUBLIME TO.. the Netherlands?

Rip It Up, Issue 224, 1 April 1996, Page 17

FROM THE SUBLIME TO.. the Netherlands?

Sublime could be and possibly are the next big thing in the wacky ole world of modern rock meets the Jam/Sex Pistols/Dave Finlay Brass ensemble. Sublime are not just content to play fiery punk rock — no way sirree, that’s not 90s. Instead they have infused their sound with something else entirely, a mixture of quieter, more introspective ska and reggae rhythms. By doing this they

have created a whole new, excil music. To fill me in on the here a was their lovely, well spoken, we At the time I spoke to Bud he was somewhere in Texas, leading the sort of existence that makes a non-rock and roll star glad to be out of the stinking sewer and slimy gutter of rock and roll stardom. An inquiry into a typical rockin’ day unearthed these sad facts “We wake up pretty early, at around nine or 10, go down to the studio, drink a few beers, get

:ing, ‘here and now’ type of 90s nd now and all things Subliminal II mannered drummer, Bud.

loosened up, jam a couple of songs, then repeat process, hopefully getting a couple of good takes, kick back, smoke a lot of pot, drink a lot of beer, write some more tunes, play pool, jump in the pool, golf, write some more tunes.” Playing golf before being eligible for a pension was not the least of the Subliminals’ worries. The hell hole they were incarcerated in belonged to

the stupidly hirsute Willie Nelson, and it was wee Willie’s evil influence that had led t 0... golf! “Willie rolled into town today... he hasn’t stopped in to see us yet. He normally stops in and checks out the band recording in his studio. Right from where I’m sitting I can see two sets of triple platinums, probably five double platinums, and 20 gold records, all Willie and Wayion Jennings’. It’s pretty neat, we’ve been hitting a really good vibe, there is a lot of energy from being in this studio. He had his own golf course, so you can go out and have a stretch on Willies cut ’n’ putt.” Fearing Bud might be about to start reading my ‘Aura’, I asked the question that must be asked: ‘What’s in your fridge, dude?’ “Pretty much a lot of beer and juice, some cheese, tortillas, sour cream, some mouldy bread and salsa, soup... more beer” The Mexican influence may have been a long distant reminder of the days when Bud made an honest living as a short order cook. Upon realising a number of other rockering punks were also short order cooks, I began to sniff a mystery of Free Masonic proportions. Why are all punk rockers (well, Green Day’s bass player) short order cooks in their previous lives, I begged to know. “Well, it’s kind of an easy job to get if you’re head dish washer. Cooks feelings seem to get hurt pretty often, and when that happens, they need you for backup cook.” What was you best dish?

“Wavos Francheros. Mexican brekkie dish consisting of beans, eggs, tortillas and cheese. If you’ve got a late gig you can stay up all night and do the breakfast shift. It fits in with the lifestyle and the schedule.”

Also fitting in with the Sublime lifestyle is watching crap telly. “The Beverley Hillbillies and Hogan’s Heroes are two big favourites. Sometimes we get a little bit of spice in.” Spice? “Adult TV. I like watching the X-Files on Friday night. I haven’t been able to watch it the last cou-

pla weeks ’cause we’ve been out here in the sticks.”

If Bud was not in the sticks, but instead stranded on a desert island, these are the discs he’d want with him until a rescue boat appeared: “My desert island discs would have to include Bad Religion, first Peni album, and Beatles’ Sergeant Pepper"

Unfortunately for Bud, the desert island had no power source or record player. It was heartening to find Brad taking the news like a man... “Oh, uh... too bad” Besides loving music, 60s telly, beer, pot and Mexican food, Brad also has a passion for good ole American muscle cars. ' '' “

“I’ve always been into old muscle cars and hot rods and stuff. At the moment I’m working on a 62 Nova convertible. I’ve also got a Harley Davidson frame, and I’m putting it together part by part, so I guess I’ll be a biker soon.” With a big floppy beard like the Hell’s Angels in 1969?

“I’m not really down wiv facial hair, dude.” As the minutes ticked away, our blarney slipped into new and uncharted territories... American politics. “This year is election year. Whose gonna be our president? Another buffoon! There’s certainly plenty to choose from.”

Economics. “Beer prices are going up.” The film industry and Bud’s tip for the then pending Academy Awards “Black Sheep with Chris Farley [fat comedian type]. That guy is a nut!” , Philosophy. “Smoke ’em if ya got ’em... mean old fuzzies gotta loosen up.” Like all good things (chockie pud’, World Cup Cricket, and quality British telly) this interview had to come to an end, and so it was with sagging heart and mournful tones that the time traveller question was dug up: Where would you go if you came across an abandoned time travelling capsule? “Caveman days, ’cause they knew how to eat and get women. I always see cave people grubbing on their big ole barbecued ribs, getting their girls and doing the thing [sound of ‘the thing’ being imitated]. As our goodbyes, were completed, Bud hinted Sublime might play New Zealand soon. “In April we’re planning on flying over your way, we’re supposed to go to France and Germany.” ' .-. .• \ \ Upon being informed France and Germany were a mere 12,000 miles away,- Brad seemed perplexed. Evidently he’d thought he was talking to the Netherlands. Looks like someone had been pulling the wool over Bud’s pork pies. Ain’t rock and roll a nutter ole caper?

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